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Smoke was spotted on Aug. 26 by United States Forest Service (USFS) fire personnel traveling on the Gunflint Trail. The origin of the fire is believed to be a lighting strike from a thunderstorm 7 to 10 days ago.

The fire is in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness approximately 1.5 miles north of Long Island Lake and 1 mile south of Dawkins Lake. The fire is less than a quarter acre in size and is currently smoldering on the ground with no open flames. Fuels in the vicinity include lowland conifers, tamarack and white spruce.

According to the USFS the fire is not near canoe travel routes and is not a threat to public safety or structures. The closest portages are Rib Lake to Lower George Lake which is approximately three-quarters of a mile to the west; and Lower George to Karl Lake Portage which is approximately 1.5 miles to the southwest.

The USFS says its current management strategy is to monitor the fire by air over the next several days.